ROLAND GARROS, PARIS – Who to select at flyhalf and outside center for Sunday’s World Cup quarterfinal against host nation France has been the biggest talking point here all week.
Since Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber took over as coaches of the Springbok team, they have always selected their match 23 on either a Monday or a Tuesday depending on whether the match is being played on a Saturday or Sunday.
They have continued with that trend here at the World Cup getting permission from the governing body to announce their team earlier than the required 48 hours.
However, this week they have decided to go against the norm by sticking to the 48-hour rule. When asked about the sudden change in plans, Erasmus said it was a “tactical” decision to keep the opposition guessing as to the composition of the team.
Normally in the week leading up to a game, the South Africans will make players available to the media who will be either in the starting line-up or the match 23.
So, it was quite interesting to see flyhalf Manie Libbok and outside centre Jesse Kriel (pictured above) being presented to the media on Tuesday at the Media Centre at Roland Garros.
Both Libbok and Kriel were considered first choice at 10 and 13 coming into the tournament. However, with Handre Pollard and Lukhanyo Am joining the side after unfortunate injuries to Malcolm Marx and Makazole Mapimpi, it is not a cut and dried affair that Libbok and Kriel will be in the starting line-up on Sunday.
Pollard and Am played a massive role in the Boks winning the William Webb Ellis trophy in Japan in 2019, so it will come as no surprise if these two players are at number 10 and 13 when the team is named at 09:00 on Friday morning.
The presence of Libbok and Kriel at the press conference could also be a ploy by the Bok’s brains trust to confuse the French.
Libbok has come in for criticism for his inconsistent goal kicking form. However, he seemed to have ironed out his technique with a faultless display in the Pool B clash with Tonga when he replaced Pollard after half-time.
“I don’t watch what is going on in the media,” he said when asked how he handles the criticism.
“I know what criticism is out there when it comes to my kicking but for me, I am focusing on myself. I am focusing on getting it right, it is something I must get right especially at this level where the margins are so small. I am just working hard and trying to get it right.”
Libbok said Pollard’s return has given his game a boost.
“First and foremost, it is nice to have Handre back in the camp. We work nicely together and pick each other up. It’s awesome to work with him. It doesn’t matter who is going to start. If he is going to play, if I am going to play. I know he’ll do a good job … a great job. He is a world class player who has been there and done that so for me it’s awesome to have him back in the camp. He helps me a lot and we work nicely together.”
Kriel said it was a positive experience to get more game time in Am’s absence, but it’s also great to have him back.
“I don’t think a Springbok jersey is ever yours. I don’t think the 13 is ever mine. It’s obviously been great to have Lukhanyo back as well. I think he has put himself into contention for this weekend.
“We haven’t heard the team yet. Canan [Moodie] is another guy who has done really well in the 13 jersey. Obviously having some game time in this World Cup has been really positive.
“Going back to the last World Cup, being injured in the first round was very disappointing and I think we’ve seen it with [Makazole] Mapimpi being on the other side seeing him leave. But then again, it’s been great to see Lukhanyo in, he’s invaluable and a world class player and he’s really a great guy to have back in camp. He really helps a guy like me and Moodie as well.”
